Overnight-Marinated Thai Street-Style Chicken with Nam Jim

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Chicken thighs marinated for 24 hours in a complex fish sauce and palm sugar blend, served with a traditional nam jim dipping sauce for authentic street food experience. This thai-inspired grilling ready in about 98 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, fish sauce, palm sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 495 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 80 min Cook: 18 min Serves 4 Thai cuisine 495 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 4 tbsp fish sauce, 3 tbsp palm sugar, 6 minced garlic cloves, 4 chopped lemongrass stalks, and 6 lime leaves. Mix until sugar dissolves, then stir in 2 tbsp coconut oil.
  2. Step 2: Add chicken thighs to marinade, ensuring full coverage. Seal container and refrigerate for 24 hours, turning once halfway through.
  3. Step 3: For nam jim, whisk 3 tbsp lime juice, 2 tbsp palm sugar, 2 tbsp fish sauce, and 1 minced serrano pepper until sugar dissolves. Add 1 tbsp water if too thick.
  4. Step 4: Remove chicken from marinade (reserve 2 tbsp for basting). Thread onto soaked bamboo skewers: insert skewer through drumstick to neck, secure ends with wire.
  5. Step 5: Grill over medium heat (375°F) for 9 minutes per side, basting with reserved marinade until chicken is cooked through and has deep grill marks. Serve immediately with nam jim sauce.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Overnight-Marinated Thai Street-Style Chicken with Nam Jim take to make?

Total time is about 98 minutes (80 min prep + 18 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Overnight-Marinated Thai Street-Style Chicken with Nam Jim?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Overnight-Marinated Thai Street-Style Chicken with Nam Jim?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Overnight-Marinated Thai Street-Style Chicken with Nam Jim for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Overnight-Marinated Thai Street-Style Chicken with Nam Jim?

Thai grilling like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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